Home Improvement Articles

TrustedPros mined and analyzed our data from 2016 to deliver 30 statistics on renovation trends from last year. Over 2 million users' search behaviour and project inquiries have informed us about nation-wide trends on home improvements, contractor expectations, and budget numbers.

Where do tiles work best? Are tiles for indoor or outdoor environments? How much does a tiling project cost? All your tiling project questions answered here.

We pooled one years' worth of data from over 2 million users to tell you which home improvement projects ranked on top for 2016. Find out the top ten home improvement projects nation-wide and for each province. We've included information on how much money Canadians were willing to spend on each project as well.

Gift cards can be great for anyone who is looking to renovate their home. However, they can be a bit impersonal, and they are usually limited to big-box stores. Get your loved one something to improve their home from a small retailer or artist this holiday season. Find unique and creative options to give your friends and family's homes a facelift in our 2016 holiday gift list.

If you're tired of the same gift lists from year to year then look no further. We've scoured design catalogs and artisan craft hubs to bring you a fantastic and original gift list for 2016. This list is geared towards those who love home d cor items (especially Canadian-inspired items!). We've hit every price point to make gift-giving easy this holiday season.

The contracting industry is widely funded by under-the-table transactions. Homeowners who submit to 'cash only' transaction agreements may think that they are getting a deal. However, the reality is that under-the-table transactions do more harm that good--for homeowners and contractors alike. Cash only deals bring on a slew of problems for both parties including scams, economic insecurity, audits, and warranty complications, among other things. Contactors across the country agree that cash transactions completed to forgo taxes can only be prevented by homeowners.

You may have your dream deck envisioned, but do you know if you can trust that a contractor will execute it properly? TrustedPros has got your back. We've asked the experts and have come up with 5 tips to help you identify deck-building quality craftsmanship. And in case you haven't seen every deck design option out there yet, we've got a few more ideas to help you plan the best outdoor oasis yet! Learn about deck quality, outdoor structures, and deck designs inside!

It's always a shock to hear about vulnerable homeowners who get scammed by contractors they thought they could trust. The truth of the matter is that these stories tend to follow the same patterns time and time again. TrustedPros is back with more advice for homeowners to avoid getting scammed. We cover common vulnerable targets such as high-demand markets, senior citizens, poor payment plans, and industry awareness.

Builders relied on a simple building process 150 years ago. They took planks of wood, and nailed them together. Since then, the construction industry has moved onto new building strategies and new materials. We've seen iron, steel, and concrete take the forefront of home and high-rise construction. However, builders are starting the realize the virtue of simplicity, and nature! Laminated Timber products are prized for more than their aesthetic. Read on to find out about an amazing building material, and why you should build you next home with it.

Monster homes are taking the country by storm. Homeowners are building homes in excess of 5,000 square feet within mature neighbourhoods. These monster homes are tearing communities apart, destroying the character of old neighbourhoods, and drastically changing property values. As the home renovation industry in Canada continues to grow, homeowners need to familiarize themselves with the monster home problem and learn how to avoid it. TrustedPros recommends homeowners to double check their building permits, stick to their project, and aim to maintain neighbourhood aesthetic to avoid contributing to this growing Canadian issue.